Lubricating device for crank cases



Oct. 14, 1930. VAN R w T 1,778,051

LUBRICATING DEVICE FOR CRANK GASES Filed Jan. 31, 1929 A e Z44 @a attozmg Patented Get. 14-, lQBQ tween 4 JOE VAN DER WIL'I, OF ORANGE CITY, IOWA LUBRICATING DEVi'CE FOR CRANK GASES Application filed January 31, 1929. Serial No. 336,466.

My invention relates to the lubrication of internal. combustion engines and has for its object generally to provide a device for attachment to the crank case of an engine for aiding in the preliminary lubrication of a cold engine during the starting period.

My invention is carried out by means or" an aux; iary basin fitting within the oil pan of the crank case, resting normally close to the bottom of the oil pan, together with means for raising the auxiliary basin body so as to carry supply of oil upwardly to the region wherein the connecting rods are oscillated.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a device which is of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

A further object is to provide means for actuating such a device from the dash or instrument board of a vehicle engine.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth. pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the crank case of an automobile in which my invention is installed, the dash board of the automobile being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view through the oil pan.

Fig. 3 is a tran verse, sectional view through he oil pan.

Fig. l is a detail, sectional view through the lifting crank assembly at one side of-the cil pan and Fig. 5 is a similar sectional view at the other side of the crank case.

I have used the reference character to indicate generally the crank case of an automobile. The instrument board is shown at 11 in cross section. The oil pan 12 is secured to the lower portion of the crank case 10 and in the type of engine shown is inclined downwardly toward the center to form a well, as at 13.

The small oil pans into which the connecting rods dip are shown at ll and the drip chutes which feed them are shown at 15.

T'he oil pump is indicated at 16 in Fig. 3 and is connected to the filter 1? by a sliding connection including a spring 18 to urge the filter downwardly against the bottom of the oil pan. y

The preceding elements are all old elements of construction of the particular engine under consideration.

In carrying out my invention, I provide an auxiliary oil basin 19, having the side walls 20 and end walls 21, all formed integrally as by pressing out of sheet metal. The basin 19 is adapted to normally rest against the bottom 3 of the pan 12, although the well 13 will extend below the basin.

For raising the basin, I'provide a pair of cranks, each including the side cranks A and B and a sleeve 21, connecting the cranks A and B. Each of the cranks A and B includes a crank arm 22, a trunnion 23 and acrank throw 24-. The sleeve 21 is used to connect the crank throws 24 in order to make installation practical and is simply slipped over the crank throws and soldered or welded into place.

The trunnion 23 of the crank A is journalled in anigple 25, secured in one of the side walls of the pan 12 and held in place by the nut 26. This construction is clearly shown in 30 Fig. 5.

The trunnion 23 of the crank B is extended through a sleeve 27, which is secured in the opposite side wall of the pan 12 by means of a threaded nut 28 and a packing nut 29 is also threaded onto the sleeve 27 to prevent oil leaking through the sleeve.

bearin 34:, extendin throu h the instrument board 11. i

The rod 33 is provided with a button 35 to allow it to be pulled upwardly. Such upward movement will cause the respective cranks to ally toward each other.

vertically. The side walls 20 are provided with slots 39 to accommodate the heads of the nipples 25 and sleeves 27, respectively, as the basins move upwardly.

The basin 19 is provided with an opening 19 through which the filterl'? projects. As

the basin 19 moves upwardly, the edges of the basin surrounding the opening will engage the flange 19 of the filter and carry the filter upwardly slightly. This will close the opening 19 while the basin is in its raised position. As has been stated in the initial statement of objects of invention, the auxiliary basin is intended to function to provide auxiliary lubrication during starting. Therefore, the basin will normally rest inthe position shown in the figures. While in this position, oil will gradually fill the basin flowing in through the slots 39.

When the basin is raised, it will carry the oil to a level several inches higher than its normal level as indicated by the line 41 in Fig. 3. It will be understood that the oil will gradually flow through the slots 39 back into the well 13 but it will take considerable time for it to do this, owing to the close proximity of the side walls of the basin to those of the oil pan. 'The oil will be held at its higher level a sufiicient length of time to enable the connesting rods to dip into the solid pool of oil thus provided. A much greater amount of lubrication is thus given to the connecting rods and due to the larger volume of oil and the deeper dipping of the connecting rods, a great deal more of oil will be splashed up into the cylinder than can be obtained from the auxiliary pans 14.

If necessary, the pan can be lowered to obtain a fresh supply of oil. and the additional lubrication may beprovided for several minutes while the engine is warming up.

The oil level when the basin is raised is brought above the pump so as to insure opera tion of the pump at all times from the starting. lVith my attachment, it will. be impossible for the pump to lose its prime.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably includnal position.

2. Incombin'ation with theoil pan of an internal combustion engine, an auxiliary oil asin within said oil pan and normally posii ned near the bottom thereof, and a pair of rank arms, having throws slidingly engagizonial slid-es on the basin, said cranks g through a side of the oil pan, means 1 mg the cranks to transmit movement one-to the other, and means connected to one of the cranks exteriorly of the pan, to transmit oscillating movement thereto.

In combination with the oil pan of an internal combustion engine, an auxiliary oil basin within said oil pan and normally positionedneai' the bottom thereof, said basin having side walls positioned closely adjacent theside walls of the pan, and means, operable internal combustionengine, an auxiliary oil basin within said oil pan and normally positionednear the bottom thereof, said basin having side walls positioned closely adjacent the side walls of the pan, pair of crank arms having throws slidingly engaging horizontal slides on the basin, said cranks extending through aside of the oil pan, means connecting the cranks to transmit movement from one to the other, and means connected to one of the cranks exteriorly of'the pan, to transmit oscillating movement thereto, the side walls of the basin being slotted to receive the cranks. l

'5. In combination with the oil pan of an internal combustion engine, an auxiliary oil basin within said oil pan normallyposi- 'tioned near the bottom thereof, and means, operable extcricrly of the oil pan, for raisinglsaidbasin, the basin having an opening to receive an oil filter having a flange nearits top, said openingibeing of less diameter than 

